ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Unprecedented Growth of 42.3 Per Cent Shipboard Jobs for Indian Seafarers in Last Four Years
Union Minister of State for Shipping, Road Transport & Highways and Chemicals and Fertilizers Shri Mansukh Mandaviya said today in a statement that the Ministry of Shipping has strived to improve employment generation in the Shipping sector during the last four years. He said, the number of trained active seafarers today is 1.54 lakh, of which 4700 are women. He said, as many as 810 women are employed in the Shipping sector.
The last four years saw an unprecedented growth of 42.3 per cent shipboard jobs for Indian seafarers. The seafarers employed on ships worldwide increased from 108446 in 2013 to 154349 in 2017. India now provides 9.35 % of the global seafarers and ranks third in the list of the largest seafarer supplying nation to the world maritime industry.
The Directorate of Shipping has started issuing the Indian CDC for candidates who have completed the five basic STCW courses since January 2018. Prior to this, candidates who were doing the long duration pre-sea courses were issued Indian CDC. This initiative of the Directorate has mobilized lot of seafarers to pursue Indian CDC who otherwise were holding CDC for other flags like Panama, Liberia, etc. The ban on opening of the new pre-sea and post-sea institutes has been lifted and various requirements for approval of courses also delinked. This has considerably helped in opening of the new maritime training institutes. This shall definitely assist in further increasing the number of Indian seafarers in global market.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Publications Division all set to participate in the 41st Sharjah International Book Fair
Government of India’s premier publishing house Publications Division will be showcasing its publications at the Mega Book Fair to be held at Expo Centre Sharjah, UAE from 2nd -13th November, 2022
Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India is participating in the 41st Sharjah International Book Fair, one of the most acclaimed book fairs of the world. The 12-day international book fair, being organised by the Sharjah Book Authority , will be held from November 2-13, 2022 at Expo Centre Sharjah, UAE and will host a stellar group of award-winning authors, intellectuals, and other literary luminaries from around the world. The theme of the year is ‘Spread the Word’.
Continuing the celebrations of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Publications Division will be offering the readers and books enthusiasts a wide variety of books on history of Indian freedom struggle and freedom fighters. The readers will also get to explore more than 100 books and magazines in different Indian languages on themes such as art and culture, history of India, eminent personalities, language and literature, Gandhian literature, religion and philosophy and children’s literature, along with premium books on Rashtrapati Bhawan and Prime Minister’s speeches, published exclusively by the Publications Division.
The Publications Division will be exhibiting its publications at Stall number ZA-3 in Hall 7 at Expo Centre Sharjah, UAE.
About Publications Division:
Directorate of Publications Division is a repository of books and journals which highlight the subjects of national importance and India’s rich cultural heritage. Established in 1941, Publications Division is a premier publishing house of Government of India offering books and journals in different languages and on diverse themes like development, Indian history, culture, literature, biographies, science, technology, environment, and employment. The Division enjoys credibility among readers and publishers and is well recognized for the authenticity of content as well as reasonable price of its publications.
Division’s flagship publications include popular monthly journals such Yojana, Kurukshetra, Bal Bharati and Aajkal as well as weekly employment newspapers ‘Employment News’ and ‘Rozgar Samachar’. In addition to this, Publications Division also publishes Government’s prestigious reference annual ‘India Year Book’.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Booklets on Initiatives and Programmes of Ministry of Commerce and Industry Released
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Suresh Prabhu, released two booklets and videos on achievements of Ministry of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi today.
Speaking on this occasion Suresh Prabhu said that Department of Commerce has identified 9 sectors of gems and jewellery, leather, textiles, engineering, electronics, chemicals, pharma, agriculture and marine products to achieve at least 16% growth in exports in FY 19. Commerce Minister further said that the Ministry has formulated India’s first ever Agriculture Export Policy to double farmers’ income by 2022, to boost India’s agricultural exports to USD 60 billion by 2022 and double India’s share in world agriculture.
Commerce Minister further added that the focus of the Ministry will continue to be on the manufacturing sector where India has the capacity to transform into a hub for global exports in many products. But India’s prowess in services gives the country global edge and the large domestic market allows economic growth at a steady 7 percent.
Suresh Prabhu added that India’s goods export will peak at USD 330 billion in 2018-19 which will be the highest ever. India’s exports have seen high growth in the last six years through sector specific interventions, focused export promotion initiatives, greater transparency and quick resolution of issues. With the structural reforms that have been putin place over the last five years by the Ministry and action oriented plans for major sectors, Commerce Minister said that he is hopeful that India is on the path to become the 5th largest economy this year.
PIB Headquarters
RMS dak adalat
The Divisional level ''DAK ADALAT'' of Ernakulam RMS EK Division will be held at the office of the SRM, RMS, Ernakulam Division, fifth floor of Ernakulam HPO complex , Kochi on 18th October, 2019 at 11 am. Complaints relating to Postal services in Ernakulam RMS EK division may be taken up in the Dak Adalat.
Complaints can be sent in envelopes super scribed “Dak Adalat” and addressed to “ The Superintendent, RMS Ernakulam Division, Kochi-682011,” so as to reach there on or before 14th October, 2019.
IE/SKY 
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President's Secretariat
PRESIDENT OF INDIA PRESENTS SPORTS AND ADVENTURE AWARDS 2022
The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, presented the Sports and Adventure Awards 2022 at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan today . The Awards include Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Awards-2022; Dronacharya Awards-2022; Arjuna Awards-2022; Dhyan Chand Awards-2022; Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards-2021; Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar-2022; and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy-2022.
Sports and adventures Award list attached here -
Ministry of Finance
Repayment of 8.13% Oil Marketing Companies SB, 2021
The outstanding balance of ‘8.13% Oil Mktg Comp GoI SB 2021’ is repayable at par on October 16, 2021. No interest will accrue thereon from the said date. In the event of a holiday being declared on October 16, 2021 by any State Government under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, the Loan/s will be repaid by the paying offices in that State on the previous working day.
As per sub-regulations 24 and 24 of Government Securities Regulations, 2007 payment of maturity, proceeds to the registered holder of Government Security held in the form of Subsidiary General Ledger or Constituent Subsidiary General Ledger account or Stock Certificate, shall be made by a pay order incorporating the relevant particulars of his bank account or by credit to the account of the holder in any bank having facility of receipt of funds through electronic means. For the purpose of making payment in respect of the securities, the original subscriber or the subsequent holders of such Government Securities, shall submit the relevant particulars of their bank account well in advance.
However, in the absence of relevant particulars of bank account/mandate for receipt of funds through electronic means, to facilitate repayment of the Loan on the due date, holders may tender the securities, duly discharged, at the Public Debt Offices, Treasuries/Sub-Treasuries and branches of State Bank of India  20 days in advance of the due date for repayment.
Full details of the procedure for receiving the discharge value may be obtained from any of the aforesaid paying offices.
Ministry of Finance
Relief to Senior Citizens: Exemption of Interest Income on deposits increased to Rs 50,000
Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana extended up to March 2020
Existed limit on investment under PMVVY enhanced to Rs 15 lakhs
With the objective of providing a dignified life to senior citizens, the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Shri Arun Jaitley, announced significant incentives for senior citizens.
Presenting the General Budget 2018-19 in Parliament here today, the Finance Minister said that the exemption of interest income on deposits with banks and post offices to be increased from Rs. 10,000/- to Rs. 50,000/- and TDS shall not be required to be deducted on such income, under section 194A. This benefit shall be available also for interest from all fixed deposits schemes and recurring deposit schemes.
The Finance Minister also announced raising the limit of deduction for health insurance premium and/ or medical expenditure from Rs. 30,000/- to Rs. 50,000/-, under section 80D. All senior citizens will now be able to claim benefit of deduction up to Rs. 50,000/- per annum in respect of any health insurance premium and/or any general medical expenditure incurred.
Further, the Finance Minister proposed raising the limit of deduction for medical expenditure in respect of certain critical illness from Rs. 60,000/- in case of senior citizens and from Rs. 80,000/- in case of very senior citizens, to Rs. 1 lakh in respect of all senior citizens, under section 80DDB.
These concessions will give extra tax benefit of Rs. 4,000 crores to senior citizens.
In addition to tax concessions, the Finance Minister proposed to extend the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana up to March 2020 under which an assured return of 8% is given by Life Insurance Corporation of India. The existing limit on investment of Rs. 7.5 lakh per senior citizen under this scheme is also being enhanced to Rs. 15 lakh.
DSM/OK/RM/SBS/KMN
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Ministry of Commerce & Industry
14th Edition of World Spice Congress  to be held at Mumbai from 16-18 February 2023 on the sidelines of the G20 Meet
Event to see deliberations on production, processing, value addition, quality and safety, trade, and supply chain management of spices
WSC 2023 to be centered around the theme ‘Vision 2030: SPICES ’
The world’s largest exclusive business platform for the spice sector, 14th World Spice Congress , organized by Spices Board India  in association with various trade and export forums, is scheduled to be held at CIDCO Exhibition and Convention Centre, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra during 16-18 February 2023. Over 1000 delegates from more than 50 countries are expected to participate in the event.
This biennial event organized by Spices Board India remains the premier platform that brings the global spice industry together to deliberate on the problems and prospects in the spices sector. The event looks forward to deliberations on aspects such as production, processing, value addition, quality and safety, trade, and supply chain management of spices in the new normal situation. The Regulatory Authorities from major importing countries and Ministry of Trade and Export Promotion agencies of the G_20 member countries are expected to have deliberations with Indian Spice Industry.
“This time, Spices Board is organizing the World Spice Congress as a G20 event on the sidelines of India’s G20 presidency for the period December 2022 to November 2023 with more focus on further strengthening India’s trade ties with the G20 countries” informed Shri D Sathiyan IFS, Secretary, Spices Board. Interaction with the regulatory authorities of the major importing countries and Ministers of Trade and industry association of the G20 member countries are expected to take part in the WSC 2023. “The 14th edition of the WSC is going to be all about and only about ‘SPICES’. The theme chosen for the current edition of
WSC is ‘Vision 2030: SPICES’ ” he added.
Since the first ever WSC in 1990, through 13 successful editions during the last three decades, the WSC has established a hallowed tradition, benefitting the spices stakeholders across the globe and it remains a much sought-after event amongst the global spice community. It will foster new business opportunities and strengthen trade connections.
In addition to the business sessions, the WSC will also have an exhibition demonstrating the strengths and capabilities of the Indian spice industry including the product range, applications in the medicinal/health areas, innovations and cutting-edge technologies. Registration for participation in 14th WSC is open and interested stakeholders can register their participation through the website www.worldspicecongress.com .
For more information, pls contact: Shri B N Jha, Director , Spices Board and Organising Secretary, World Spice Congress; Phone: 0484 2333610, Extn: 233, E-mail: basisth.jha[at]nic[dot]in / conference@worldspicecongress.com
President's Secretariat
President of India Launches tree plantation drive at Rashtrapati Bhavan
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind planted a sapling of Maulsari in the Rashtrapati Bhavan Estate today  and launched a plantation drive as part of 'Van Mahotsav' celebrations.
On the occasion, the President met students and urged them to encourage fellow citizens to plant more trees and reaffirm our commitment to a greener and sustainable planet.
As part of Van Mahotsav celebrations, the President's Secretariat, over the next few weeks, will be planting 3,252 trees and 2,962 shrubs in the President's Estate. This will include ornamental and fruit trees like Peepal, Neem, Maulsari, Champa, Gul Mohur, Mango, Chiko, Anjir and Amrud etc.
The President’s Estate spread over 330 acres harbours a rich biodiversity. Noted trees of the Estate include, Sita Ashok, Bistendu, Shisham, Gab, Gourd Trees, Wild Almond, Lemon-Scented Gum, Doon Siris and more.
PIB Headquarters
SHRI BANKEY BEHARI AGRAWAL ASSUMED CHARGE AS CHIEF COMMISSIONER, GST & CUSTOMS- HYDERABAD ZONE
Shri Bankey Behari Agrawal, has assumed charge as Chief Commissioner, GST & Customs, Hyderabad Zone, Hyderabad . In addition, he is also in-charge as Chief Commissioner of GST & Customs, Visakhapatnam Zone .
He is from the 1985 batch of the Indian Revenue Service, and has worked at several places. He has been actively involved with the drafting of GST laws pertaining to Appeals and Revision and was also instrumental in the designing of the 4-Tier GST Training plan which led to training of almost 60,000  officers during 2016.
On behalf of the department, he has assured full support for resolving grievances/queries of taxpayers and stakeholders. He can be reached atccehyd@excise.nic.in.
Vice President's Secretariat
Voluntary services like NSS, NCC should be made mandatory for children from schooldays: Vice President
NSS helps students to develop the feeling of oneness, empathy & compassion;
Serving people in distress is true Patriotism;
Youth must become agents of social change, economic growth & innovation;
Addresses NSS Volunteers who participated in the Republic Day Parade
The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that a stint in voluntary services like NSS, NCC should be made mandatory for children from schooldays. He said that such training would help students to develop the feeling of oneness, develop empathy and compassion and become sensitive to the needs of the less fortunate.
Interacting with volunteers of National Service Scheme  who participated in the Republic Day Parade, here today, Shri Naidu appreciated their passion and commitment for taking up community service at a young age. By doing this you are realizing the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi who had said “the best way to find oneself is to lose oneself in the service of others”, he said.
Saying that serving people in distress was the real Desh Bhakthi or true Patriotism, the Vice President asked students to develop the habit of social service from very early age. He also wanted the younger generation to love and live with the nature for a brighter future.
Shri Naidu appreciated NSS volunteers for actively participating in programmes like Swachh Bharat and for serving people in times of natural calamities like floods by collecting relief materials. He said that such activities reinforce India’s core philosophy of ‘Share and Care’.
The Vice President said that the participation of youth in decision-making and development processes was essential to take the country forward. He asked them to become agents of social change, economic growth and technological innovation to take the country forward.
Shri Naidu also showed them around his residence, including the badminton court and stressed the need for youth to be physically active and adopt healthy dietary habits to prevent lifestyle diseases.
More than 200 National Service Scheme  volunteers from various parts of the country have called on the Vice President at his residence. This interaction is part of NSS’s one-month Republic Day Parade Camp where they get an opportunity to interact with the President, the Vice President and the Prime Minister apart from participating in Republic Day Parade on January 26.
Prime Minister's Office
Telephone conversation between PM and Prime Minister of Sri Lanka
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi spoke to Prime Minister of Sri Lanka H.E. Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa today, and congratulated him on the successful conduct of parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka yesterday. Prime Minister commended the government and the electoral institutions of Sri Lanka for effectively organising the elections despite the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also appreciated the Sri Lankan people for their enthusiastic participation in the elections, and said that this reflected the strong democratic values shared by both countries.
Prime Minister Shri Modi noted that the incoming results of the elections indicate an impressive electoral performance by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna  party, and conveyed his congratulations and best wishes to H.E. Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa in this regard.
Recalling their cordial and fruitful previous interactions, the two leaders reiterated their shared commitment to strengthen the age-old and multi-dimensional India-Sri Lanka relationship. They stressed the significance of early progress in all spheres of bilateral cooperation.
Prime Minister informed H.E. Mr. Rajapaksa about the establishment of an international airport in the Buddhist pilgrimage city of Kushinagar in India, and said that the city looked forward to welcoming visitors from Sri Lanka at an early date.
The leaders agreed to remain in close touch as both countries address the challenges posed by COVID 19 pandemic, and resolved to take bilateral relations to newer heights in the coming days.
Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation
Atal Bhujal Yojana
The World Bank has approved Atal Bhujal Yojana , a Rs.6000 Crore scheme, for sustainable management of ground water with community participation. The funding pattern is 50:50 between Government of India and World Bank. The identified over-exploited  and water stressed areas for the implementation of the scheme fall in the States of Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Nine blocks of Bundelkhand region in Madhya Pradesh viz. Chhatarpur , Naugaon , Rajnagar , Sagar , Niwari , Baldeogarh , Palera , Patheria  and Ajeygarh  have been identified in the scheme.
ABHY envisages active participation of the communities in various activities such as formation of ‘Water User Associations’, monitoring and disseminating ground water data, water budgeting, preparation & implementation of Gram-panchayat-wise water security plans and IEC activities related to sustainable ground water management.
This information was given by Union Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India reports less than 50K Daily New Cases for the 5th continuous day
Active Caseload under 4.9 lakhs, share in Total Cases drops to 5.63%
For the successive fifth day, new cases reported in the last 24 hours did not cross the 50,000 mark. 47,905 persons have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 24 hours.
The trend of daily new recoveries outnumbering daily new cases continues for the 40th Day with 52,718 new recoveries registered in the last 24 hours.
This trend has continued to compress the active caseload of India which is presently 4.98 lakhs. With a contribution of only 5.63% of India’s total positive cases, India’s active caseload stands at 4,89,294, well below the 5 lakh mark.
The Recovery Rate has also been boosted with the trend of recoveries exceeding new cases. It presently stands at 92.89%. Total Recoveries today are 80,66,501. The gap between Recovered cases and Active cases has steadily widened to75,77,207.
78% of the new recovered cases are concentrated in 10 States/UTs.
Maharashtra reported the maximum number of single day recoveries with 9,164 newly recovered cases. 7,264 people recovered in Delhi followed closely by Kerala which reported 7,252 new recoveries.
10 States and UTs reported 78% of the new cases.
Delhi observed another spike and reported the highest daily new cases, also its highest tally so far with 8,593 new cases. Delhi is followed by Kerala with 7,007 cases and Maharashtra with 4,907 cases.
550 case fatalities have been reported in the past 24 hours. Case Fatality Rate stands at 1.48% today.
Of these new deaths, ten States/UTs account for 80%. Maharashtra accounted for 22. 7% share with 125 fatalities. Delhi and West Bengal follow with 85 and 49 new deaths, respectively.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Surat Airport gearing up for holistic development with world-class facilities
Surat, the financial capital of Gujarat and hub for diamond and textile business in India, attracts air travelers in large numbers. Considering the magnificent rise in passenger traffic, Airports Authority of India  is extensively working towards the holistic development of the airport with a project cost of Rs 353 Crores.
The development project includes extension of existing terminal building from 8474 sqm to 25520 sqm. In addition to the extension of terminal building, the expansion of apron from five parking bays to 18 Parking bays and construction of parallel taxi track  work is also in progress.
After completion of project, the new state-of –the-art extended terminal building will be capable of handling 1200 Domestic and 600 International passengers’ during peak hours making the annual passenger capacity of 2.6 Million. Equipped with all modern passenger amenities, the terminal building will have 20 check-in counters, five aerobridges, In-Line baggage handling system, five conveyor belts for arriving passengers. The new terminal building will also have a parking area with capacity for 475 cars.
The terminal will be a 4-Star GRIHA rated energy efficient building with sustainability features. The interiors of the terminal building will reflect the art and culture of Gujarat. More than 58% of the work for extension of terminal building is complete and the building will be ready by 31st December 2022.
Surat Airport caters to a large number of business community across the country, as it is directly connected to 16 cities across the country. The new world-class terminal building of the airport will enhance the connectivity to this industrial City, giving impetus to the overall growth of the region.
Terminal Building Work in Progress
Roofing Work in Progress
Terminal Building Work in Progress
Parallel Taxi Track Work in Progress
Perspective View -Terminal Building
Perspective view-City Side Canopy
YB